【動画】赤ちゃん向けの新ビジネスの誕生か? 「赤ちゃんDJ教室」が大人気
昨年9月、ミュージシャンのナタリー・エリザベス・ワイスさんがNYブルックリンで開講した"赤ちゃん向けDJ教室"が大好評だ。

その様子を伝える動画を観れば、その人気にも納得。創意工夫溢れる教室で、参加した子どもたちも楽しくてしょうがない、といった様子である。
子ども相手だからといって、おもちゃを使った"DJごっこ"では決してない。ラップトップ、MIDIコントローラーパッド(ソフト内の音を発するためのトリガー)、アナログのレコード、サンプラーなどプロのDJと同じ本格的な機材を使って、子どもたちに音楽の楽しさを伝えてゆく。
生徒の幼児たちはママやパパと一緒にヘッドホンを装着し、機材から飛び出してくる本格的なリズムや色とりどりのサウンドを体感する。さらに講師のナタリーさんは自分で作曲した数え歌や、子ども向けの"音楽単語おぼえ歌"なども一緒に歌いリズムに合わせて踊るなど、総合的で楽しい音楽教育になっているのだ。
【動画】Baby DJ School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-eG9dMai4
この教室のアイデアを思いついたのは、彼女が1歳半の男の子のベビーシッターをしていたときだという。その日の夜に出演予定だったクラブイベントで使用するため持ってきていた機材を、試しに男の子に見せて一緒に音を出してみせたところ、とても食いつきが良かったんだとか。
この構想を最初にナターシャから聞かされた教室のプロデューサー氏は「頭おかしくなったんじゃないかと思った(笑)」と回想するが、それでも「彼女の話を聞いていたら、これは天才的なアイデアなんじゃないかって気がしてきたんだ」とのこと。ママパパたちも「将来DJになるかどうかなんてわからないけど(笑)。でも好奇心旺盛に音楽に触れて楽しそうにしているのは、とってもいいことだと思うわ」と、教室での子どもたちの表情に目を細めている様子だ。
「"NYで子ども向けのDJ教室"なんて聞くと、皆きっと"わあ、さすがブルックリン! 最先端でヒップよねえ。私たちには縁がないわ"なんて思うかもしれないけれど、実際に教室の様子を見たら全然ヒップじゃないのよね(笑)。だって子どもたち相手に"ハ~イみんな~!"なんてやってるんだから」と楽しそうに話すナターシャ。今では生徒も増え、みんなで歌うための自作曲をピアノなどで書いているそうで、「オリジナルの子供向けソングはグラミー賞の"子ども向けソング"部門を受賞するつもりで書いてるわ(笑)」と真剣だ。
「自分にとっての子どもみたいな自分の歌を、他の子どもたちと歌うって、特別で素敵なコミュニケーションだと思うの」と、音楽家としても子ども好きな音楽の先生としても、充実した日々を送っているようだ。もしかしたら、同スクール出身のDJが将来ブルックリンのクラブで大勢のオーディエンスを躍らせる日が来るかもしれない。
【参照リンク】
・There's A DJ School For Babies Now Even Though Babies Are, You Know, Babie
http://www.buzzfeed.com/rsultan/theres-a-dj-school-for-babies-now-even-though-babies-are-you
■関連リンク
カワイすぎる赤ちゃんバンド 【動画】
これはウザカワイイ! 音楽にコダわる赤ちゃんたちの動画4選
ファーストクラス並み? JAL・ANAの赤ちゃんサポートが豪華過ぎる
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: The Queen's Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson with Badar Azim a footman place the announcement on the easel which stands in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace to announce the birth of a baby boy, at 4.24pm to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A close-up of the easel which stands in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace to announce the birth of a baby boy, at 4.24pm to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: The large waiting crowds cheer as the Queen's Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson with Badar Azim a footman place place the announcement on the easel stands in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace to announce the birth of a baby boy, at 4.24pm to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A crowd of people take photos of the easel that officially announced the birth of the son of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace on July 22, 2013 in London, England. The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy at 16.24 BST, with William the Duke of Cambridge present for the arrival. A bulletin announcing the birth has been posted in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: A policeman adjusts the easel displaying the name of the Royal Baby as it stands in the forecourt outside Buckhigham Palace on July 22, 2013 in London, England. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy at 16.24 BST, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in attendance. A bulletin announcing the birth has been posted in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Members of the public celebrate the announcement of the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge outside St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy at 16.24 BST, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge present for the birth. A bulletin announcing the birth has been posted in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Members of the public wear masks representing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and carry a baby doll as they celebrate the announcement of the birth of a baby boy outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England. Kensington Palace announced that The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy at 16.24 BST, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge present for the birth. A bulletin announcing the birth has been posted in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 23: The gynaecologists (C) Marcus Setchell and (R) Alan Farthing depart the hospital after delivering the baby boy of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Lindo Wing, St Mary's hospital on July 23, 2013 in London, England.
SANTA MONICA, CA - JULY 22: A baby announcement card and flags adorn the gift shop of Ye Olde King's Head English pub to celebrate the announcement of the birth of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband Prince William's first child, July 22, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. Kensington Palace announced that The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge present for the birth.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 22: A sign in the window of the British restaurant and grocery Tea & Sympathy reads. "It's A Boy" as it celebrates the birth of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband Prince William's first child on July 22, 2013 in New York City. The Royal couple had a baby boy who was born at 16.24 BST and weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. The child, who is now third in line to the throne, has yet to be named.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Members of the press outside Buckhigham Palace on July 22, 2013 in London, England. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy at 16.24 BST, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in attendance. A bulletin announcing the birth has been posted in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 22: A town crier announces the birth of the son of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 22: A girl holds a sign giving odds on the name of the Royal Baby outside The Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital as the UK prepares for the birth of the first child of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital on July 22, 2013 in London, England.
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